French Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry, Antoine Armand, signed the contract for the acquisition by the French State, through the Agence des participations de l'État (APE), 80% of the capital Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), a company active in the laying of submarine cables with a fleet of seven vessels which is managed by compatriot Louis-Dreyfus Armateurs. The share was sold by the Finnish Nokia which, as expected The agreement between the parties signed in the middle of this year, maintains ownership of the remaining 20% of the capital. The transaction assigns ASN a value of 350 million euros.

ASN has an installed base of over 750 thousand kilometers of cables underwater optics laid all over the world.

"The acquisition of ASN - said Minister Armand - It is a strong signal that shows that we are able to identify and invest in strategic activities for the our country and for our European partners. ASN meets all the conditions set out in our specifications: it is essential for our digital sovereignty, is a profitable company which relies on unique know-how and whose majority of employees works in France."